𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘩, 2017
𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘬𝘢

Clouds dominated the morning azure leaving transitory patches of blue. Though they were mostly chalky there was a hint of greyness, a suggestion that rain might play a part in the day to come. Sunday would be again a rainy day.

The messianic Gurbani was antecedently chanted conscientiously and I was just perching on my bed, examining a few of the answer sheets of my pupils of standard ninth when I came across two particular answer sheets which belonged to Agampreet Kaur and Amish Jain ─ the two patronymics which were extremely precious to me.

Jain & Kaur!

Divyaant Jain & Pritika Kaur!

I was again deported to the streets of the past testimony of our love.

~

I was awaiting Divyaant near the roundabout of Sector 11 as we had decided to coincide now. Today was second Saturday and our institution was closed and today's subterfuge for the meeting with Divyant to my family was ─ movie day with some of my old friends.

After falling in love with Divyaant, I had started to lie a lot to my parents as they were still unknown about their daughter's relationship with a non-Sikh man. No one in my family was aware that their prankster Pritika was now wholly hooked to a man. Every time we had to meet, I used to fabricate one excuse or the other. Although a part of me always felt immoral that I was lying to my people but another part used to sympathise me saying that I was doing all this for my pure and irrevocable love for Divyaant.

As philosophers say and I quote, "Everything is fair in love and war".

Before I could've deliberated more, I saw a very familiar car accosting me. Giving an effervescent and cheery smile to my hippo through the windshield, I opened the door and slid inside his car which was blasting invisible snow from inside contrasted to the outside blistering humidity and temperature.

"Hey, chewing gum," taking my right hand in his hands and dropping a kiss on my knuckles, he whispered softly, smiling through his eyes. And I knew what he'd be doing next ─ he'd not drop my hand, rather would still be holding it and keep it on the gear. It was our modus operandi of expressing our love for each other ─ taking several oaths of love and loyalty with just one single hold. Once I had his hand in mine, I never wanted to let it go. He interlaced my hand and kissed on its backside again.

Another rivulet of oxytocin passed through my system and I smiled joyously and peered at him ─ his features roaring extreme exuberance and fineness at my clumsy and gauche self.

Divyaant had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course, the blush that accompanied it was a dead give-away. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, it made the girls fall for him all the more.

Despite all the opportunity that came his way he was a one-woman-man who prized genuineness and thoughtful conversation above lipstick and high-heels. And I was blessed that he was all mine.

I was an illiterate who had called him with so many names in the past ─ he was anything but a grumpy grandpa, hippo and whatnot. After knowing him and spending many hours with him, I had come to know how exceptional of a person he was.

He was handsome alright, but inside he was beautiful.

Divyaant was handsome from the profundity of his eyes to the blue-blooded expressions of his voice. He was handsome from his generous opinions to the touch of his hand upon my own. I loved the way his voice used to quicken when he sparkled with a new idea or was so enjoying one of mine that he used to lose himself for a moment and quite forgot the mask he wore for others. The mask of his grumpy and hostile form which he had worn when our paths had collided in the initial few encounters of ours.

Then, I gave him my heart and kept his safe, that's the way it was.

"So, what is the talk of today's meeting?" he asked me delicately and I was still employed in staring at his almost cloaked jawline where his stubble was blooming so domineeringly. He was my man, only mine, I sighed softly and answered, "About our faith?".

"Sure, so, let's know about our faiths then," he nodded his head and that was the green signal for me to start the representation of my oratory skills in front of him, "The word Sikh means 'disciple' or 'learner.' The Sikh religion was founded in Northern India in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji ─ our first Guru and it is distinct from Islam and Hinduism. Sikhism is monotheistic and stresses the equality of all men and women. Sikhs believe in three basic principles; meditating on the name of God (praying), earning a living by honest means as well as sharing the fruits of one's labour with others."

"Sikhism rejects caste and class systems and emphasizes service to humanity. Guru Gobind Singh Ji ─ our tenth and last Guru, who freed Sikhs from the rigid caste system by ordering all Sikh males adopt the surname "Singh," meaning a lion, and women use the surname 'Kaur' meaning princess, thus discarding their caste identity."

I continued after taking a breath, "Turbans are worn to cover our long hair and concerning God. Sikhs have unshorn hair, beards and moustaches. The Sikh faith teaches us the humanitarian principles of freedom, equality, and justice ─ the same principles this great democracy is founded on. Sikhism recognizes the universal truths that underlie all human endeavours, religions and belief systems. The universal nature of the Sikh way of life reaches out to people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds, encouraging us to see beyond our differences and to work together for world peace and harmony."

"Our holy book is Guru Granth Sahib and our most pious pilgrimage is Harmandir Sahib or also known as Golden Temple." I ended my collateral of my testimony of my faith and glinted at Divyaant who was having a smile on his face. "That was superb. So, my chewing gum too is a princess?" he kidded and I glared at him passively; out of all these things I described to him, he was adhered on this one only, how thick-witted.

"Yes, I am a born princess and later will be a queen too but of Kaziranga national park," I declared haughtily and then I realised what I had just spouted out of my mouth in promptitude. I bit my tongue and glanced at him who was already looking at me totally dumbfounded.

He was still oblivious of the glorious name with which he was saved inside my brain, soul and phone.

Hippo in cursive letters with a frightful picture of his of that 'boo' night was his contact name and photo icon saved decisively on my device.

"I have dubbed you as a Hippo," I grimaced and looked down on my lap, waiting for his disapproving look which would be followed by his anger. But instead of receiving some cynical words, I heard his guffawing sound and I abruptly raked up my neck and saw how merrily he was laughing. "Pritika, man, you're seriously so amusing. I am blessed to have a Joker-like chewing gum glued to me till eternity," announcing this, he cachinnated more and a laugh erupted from my throat too.

His laugh was soft music to my ears, I conceived and laughed more.

I cherished our bond, it was anything but cumbersome. Here, we were our raw selves ─ where we had not to worry about what the other would think, we could speak about anything and on everything. And even if we would fight, later at the end of the day, we'd be found laughing our guts out at one joke or another.

"Hey, we're going to Sukhna lake?" I abruptly vocalised when I realised that he was driving the car through the spic-and-span lanes of Sukhna Path. "Yes, my chewing gum. Maybe we should take a walk down the lover's point," he answered, turning the wheel towards the left side. My heart panicked and a scowl marred my features as I knew how this area was effectually guarded by Police; anyone among them could easily recognise me as I had two of my closest persons already in their department. If anyone saw us together, it'd be disastrous.

"Please, not here. Let's go to Morni hills, not here." I requested arduously but he was just reluctant enough to defy me, "Why baby? Are we planning some naughty things to do on the Morni hills? Will you dance like a Morni (Peahen) and perform mischievous stuff with me? Tell me?" the effrontery of this man, I huffed like a bull and gave him one of my nefarious death stare which spontaneously blocked the donkey-like hee-hawing he was doing currently. I was serious which was rare and I hated when someone would tantalise me when I am in such a mood.

"Okay, okay, cancel Morni, you're my Sherni( Lioness) who will be now travelling to Morni hills with her Hippo," he was nevertheless gibbering but I overlooked that with a glare amalgamating with a smile. I hushed and breathed out.

Safety should always be our first priority, for any couple.

Most of the times, instead of some sumptuous restaurants or theatres, we preferred some natural site sightseeing spots where we could thoroughly enjoy every essence of the maestoso nature.

"So, now it's my turn to talk about my faith. Well, our faith was founded by our 24th Tiraththankar, Lord Mahavir in the sixth century. The most well-known aspect of Jainism is its principle of non-violence that extends from thoughts, speech, and actions in everyday life. Because Jainism also includes animals, dairy products obtained through the inhumane treatment of animals are not to be included in the diet. This non-violent belief includes all living things, and even some vegetables are not eaten if they are considered living beings. Jainism includes ten life principles and incorporates reincarnation and karma but does not follow the idea that there is a creator God."

"A few extreme Jains fast to death. These Jains prefer to die rather than cause any suffering to the plants that they would otherwise have to consume to survive. Many of us are vegetarians and many even vegans; we prohibit ourselves from consuming any form of alcohol or drugs." He recapitulated and I was looking at him wide-eyed as all these facts were very new to me as I had always believed that they just prohibit eating non-vegetarian food and onion and garlic, but I think the list was very long-drawn.

"But nowadays, a lot of us are following the beliefs and faiths of Sanatana Dharma too as except for some key points, we've got a lot of things in common, for example: being a vegetarian and doing meditation. We celebrate all the Hindu festivals too and worship the Hindu deities as well." he paused and directed further, "Jains are more populated in the western and northern parts of India and due to their businesses and shops, many have even migrated to different parts of Bharata."

"Moreover, Jains make up India's most educated religious group and also the most peaceful one too as we are more focussed on improving our lifestyles rather than talking nonsense all day long or fighting for one thing or another. You can hardly find a Jain committing a crime, so, my future wife, you're all innocuous with me," and he concluded with a winking eye. Ahan, my future Jain husband.

India truly is an incredible country with loads of diversity in it, it presents endless varieties of physical features and cultural patterns. It is the land of many languages and it is only in India people professes all the major religions of the world. In short, India is 'the epitome of the world'.

~

I returned from the memory lane to the present and gasped profoundly. I didn't know I was crying when I noticed a few drops of tears on my white kurta. I was an emotional fool, I was stupid because even the retrospect of our fascinating past where Divyaant wasn't this much busy just used to make me weep.

I missed him.

So much.

Memories are as preserved flowers in saffron pages, the gentle reminder of something passed. It brushes through the subconscious, recalling memories that bring out the deepest spark of nostalgia of the soul. I felt as though I was reliving those days with him, I wiped off my eyes and sought to see the answer sheet with my misty vision, but I couldn't make myself abstemious again.

It felt as if my throat was constricted, my eyes were paining and my nose was running.

I was just going to get off the mattress when I apprehended the ringing sound of my phone. My hands froze and a sigh left my lips, wearily.

The person who was appearing in my thoughts, dreams and heart, again and again, was finally calling me. Wiping my tears carelessly and sniffling a little, I picked up the phone and put it against my ears, "Hello?".

"Hey, Preet. Let's meet today?" without any informal talk and jokes thrown at each other, he pronounced out in a solemn voice.

Something was off, I concluded and whispered an okay to him and cut the call after he informed me the venue of today's meeting.

∘◦❁◦∘

The silver screen was reflecting the most celebrated and pre-eminent supernova of 2017.

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

After four weeks of nostalgia and severance, we were belatedly sitting together, my Baahubali and his Devasena on the prodigal bolstered seat of PVR. But I could feel the anxiety and melancholy that was exuding off Divyaant since the time we had congregated in front of the Centra mall. He hadn't even come to pick me up from the nearby school of my house ─ our usual pickup place, unlike the older times. I know I shouldn't be saying this like a slow-witted woman but I had no source of conveyor; Simran Pabhi and I used to come together on our motor and it was her precious car, how could I have taken that to the Centra mall without her doubting on me as I had never asked her for it.

Our love story was still a clandestine affair for the entire world.

I groaned and looked at his face which was irradiated in the blackness inside the theatre because of the screen light falling on his face. His jaws were tensed and he was grave, I couldn't see a drop of impishness in his orbs which was a record-breaker of all the usual times we had met.

And what we had talked today?

"Hey, good to see you after so many days."

"Same."

Yes, this man had just discoursed the four-lettered word meeting me after four freaking weeks!

I sighed again and looked down on my lap. The popcorn we had ordered was left unscathed as neither he was having them nor I had the urge to. He was exceedingly withdrawn and quiet today, I couldn't put my finger on what was going inside his cognisance. He hadn't even greeted a word of love or two to me ─ just that four-lettered word 'SAME', I swirled my eyes and tried to focus on the screen in front.

First and foremost, we were meeting after such a long period and yet he was so sullen ─ giving me the taste of bitter gourd mixed with his muffled muteness. I sniffed out for the third time and again looked at the screen with tears on the brim of disbandment of my eyes.

His silence was killing me, his mental stress was piercing me.

Then as if he discerned my river flow out my eyes, he placed his arms around me and I leaned closer to him. The softness and gentle touch of his arm against my neck made my back tingle.

Earlier I was feeling like an abandoned child but I was back to home again ─ Divyaant's embrace was the home for which I was shilly-shallying from many days which were not less than long, never-ending eras for me.

All my thoughts stopped as if my heart took over from my head when we were close. Next, he would squeeze as if he needed to check I was there with him, really there and really real...and I was, body and soul. I doubt anyone else ever felt the way I did about being in his arms, though I pitied them if they did love this much and lost because that's a pain that kills soft and slow. It was my paradise, my Hippotopia.

We sat on the seat looking absent-mindedly at the screen, trying to find our solace in it. We didn't speak because, in our own way, we were already communicating.

There was something about Divyaant that made me feel so young inside, but not in a childish way. He stirred the pure side of me, the best side, all the facets of myself that only required love to be healthy and whole. Should I have eternity to be with this guy I would sink into serenity, just content to be close.

Our energy vibrated in such a unique way, each the perfect complement of the other. Like I was the sine waveform and he the cosine, contrasting but harmonised at some major points ─ our love and devotion for each other united us together.

I was not simply "in love," I was well and truly smitten. Any other could only be a poor reflection, no more valuable than a shadow of the real thing.

Divyaant was what makes my heart strong. His smile alone burnished my soul into a beauty it could never have achieved on its own. Before we met I was one, now I am half, yet somehow so much more than I was ever before.

However, now his wearisome silence was punishing me resentfully.

"Preet, I have to talk to you about something, can we please go outside?" a familiar voice finally uttered extremely faintly after a long silence and I glanced at Divyaant with a troubled expression bruising my features.

After a dozen of pregnant censorships, we were hunkered on the seats of Divyaant's car which was stationed in the vault of the Centra.

I glanced at his face which was oozing extreme distress and tautness now, which was so thick that I could even cut it with a knife. I pursed my lips and looked away when he still didn't speak anything. Then I felt an urge to do something, to comfort him, but also myself. In a moment, I pressed my lips against his and felt his body loosen and arms touched my shoulders.

I knew how startled he might have been, but all I wanted was to ease off the tension that was eating him from inside.

This was our first kiss that I initiated at such a taut time with no beforehand knowledge of how to kiss.

Before I could've experimented something with my lips on his, he pushed me away coarsely and looked away. Why, Divyaant? I suddenly felt rejected, homeless and unloved ─ the way he retracted back from me.

"Pritika, please listen to me first and stop doing these silly things to lift my spirits. I am not in a mood of all this crap," the first slash of sword scoured through my heart and a sudden desire to bawl my eyes out clouded my mind. Piercing my claws inside my palm and shutting my eyes tightly with my lips already under the concussion of my teeth, I nodded my head at him and glimpsed away towards the void cars adjacent to mine ─ just like how hollow my heart was squeezing right now.

"Three weeks ago, my grandma's brother's youngest son was killed. Not any fight or something, he was honour killed by the family of the girl whom he was in love with. Everything had been rough since then, my grandparents are utterly appalled, my parents are still mourning as he was very close to us and my whole family is grieving his death. In between all this, I learned one thing, Pritika, maybe just maybe we are not made for each other. Our faiths, our beliefs, our customs ─ all these are poles apart. I don't know why but I cannot see my mother's grievous cries when something like that would happen to me....ever. Call me a coward, but..." before he could've completed his sentence, I showed him my palm and obstructed him to speak anymore.

His sword-like words were cataclysmic enough to stab an indispensable part of my heart.

"It's okay, no need to justify this. Have a great life ahead, Mr Divyaant Jain. Wish we never meet again," stating this, I bolted out of his car and didn't dare to turn back for once as my dam of waters demolished and tears started rushing out my eyes like never before.

His words were the hints of our end, I had discerned it at the origin only. My intuitions were always correct ─ something ominous was going to happen, my foreknowledge had whispered and now it was a reality.

An ugly, heart-wrenching reality.

A tightening of my throat and a short intake of breath forecast the explosion of emotion which to date, I had managed to keep buried deep inside. Not any more though, that image of things shared with a love which were not to come was too powerful and gut-wrenching to be kept in check; the tearing at my soul was too compelling and energetic to be contained. The vision I had, began to swim in front of my eyes as tears welled from deep inside and coursed down my cheeks.

Brick by brick, my walls came tumbling down. As I ran, the tears in my eyes turned the rainy day into a whirlwind of greys and yellows. I slammed into the bathroom door. I didn't care who saw. I just broke down. The sobs punched through, ripping through my muscles, bones, and guts. I pressed my forehead against the soiled stall door and began to let my heart yank in and out of my chest. It pulled back in like a yo-yo. Over and over. In and out. I was hollow. My life crumbled in front of me.

The dreams we saw were shattered.

The bond we had was broken.

The love we had nurtured was asphyxiated under the ocean of my tears.

We were no more together.

The 'Love' which 'started with a Boo' was obliterated now.

∘◦❁◦∘

My stomach twisted as the memory of the pain came back to me. There was physical pain from what I did, but that was short-lived. The emotional pain was much worse. It was the pain of fear, sadness, and doubt that made my future seem black and impossible. Then there was the instant regret that only comes from making a mistake so massive that any path you take from there is going to be difficult and scary.

Today was my betrothal day ─ betrothal with resentment and grief.

And I was anything but exhilarating about it.

My life was smashed as if some hurricane came and destroyed my small world of happiness and love.

════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ════

How was the surprise?

Also, "4" more to go to make it 1700! *puppy eyes* 

By the way, I have created a dummy account named missoctowriterr. :)